2015 Draft

First-Year Player Draft History

Draft Report: 1970s

The regular and secondary phases of the January draft proved more fruitful to major league clubs than the June draft. Those selected in the regular phase in January included Chris Chambliss (Cleveland, 1st round), Greg Minton (Kansas City, 3rd round) and Joel Youngblood (Cincinnati, 2nd round). In the secondary phase, Doug DeCinces was selected by Baltimore in the 3rd round, Rick Burleson by Boston in the 1st round, Bill Madlock by Washington in the 5th round and Chris Speier by San Francisco in the 1st round.

Catching prospects were a popular selection in June. Of the first four picks in the regular phase, three were catchers. San Diego took Mike Ivie as the draft's number one selection, Montreal tabbed Barry Foote with the 3rd pick and Milwaukee chose Darrell Porter with the draft's 4th selection. The Chicago White Sox may have had the most productive June draft selecting pitchers Terry Forster (2nd round) and Rich Gossage (9th round) in the regular phase and infielder Bucky Dent (1st round) in the secondary phase.

Pitcher Mike Flanagan was selected in the 15th round of the June regular phase by Houston, but enrolled at the University of Massachusetts. One of the more interesting highlights of the June draft was that five quarterbacks were selected including future NFL stars Archie Manning, Steve Bartkowski and Joe Theismann. Danny Goodwin, the nation's top pick, couldn't agree to terms with the White Sox and became the first top choice who did not sign a contract.

First Round - June, Regular Phase

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

White Sox

*Danny Goodwin

C

Peoria, IL

2.

Padres

Jay Franklin

RHP

Vienna, VA

3.

Brewers

Tom Bianco

SS

Elmont, NY

4.

Expos

*C. Holloway

SS

Huntsville, AL

5.

Royals

Roy Branch

RHP

St. Louis, MO

6.

Phillies

Roy Thomas

RHP

Lompoc, CA

7.

Senators

Roger Quiroga

RHP

Galveston, TX

8.

Cardinals

Ed Kurpiel

1B-LHP

Hollis, NY

9.

Indians

David Sloan

RHP

Santa Clara, CA

10.

Braves

Taylor Duncan

SS

Sacramento, CA

11.

Tigers

Tom Veryzer

SS

Islip, NY

12.

Astros

Neil Rasmussen

SS

Arcadia, CA

13.

Angels

Frank Tanana

LHP

Detroit, MI

14.

Mets

Rich Puig

2B

Tampa, FL

15.

Red Sox

Jim Rice

OF

Anderson, SC

16.

Cubs

Jeff Wehmeier

RHP

Indianapolis, IN

17.

Athletics

Sugar Bear Daniels

RHP

Detroit, MI

18.

Giants

Frank Riccelli

LHP

Syracuse, NY

19.

Yankees

Terry Whitfield

OF

Blythe, CA

20.

Dodgers

Rick Rhoden

RHP

Boynton Beach, FL

21.

Twins

Dale Soderholm

SS

Miami, FL

22.

Pirates

Craig Reynolds

SS

Houston, TX

23.

Orioles

Randy Stein

RHP

Pomona, CA

24.

Reds

*Mike Miley

SS

New Orleans, LA

* Did not sign

1972

The Montreal Expos had perhaps their best draft in franchise history. The Expos grabbed outfielder Ellis Valentine in round two of the June regular phase and then selected catcher Gary Carter one round later. The Pirates also did well, selecting pitcher John Candelaria in round two and second baseman Willie Randolph in round seven.

Some of the significant picks from the regular phase in June included Rick Manning (Cleveland) and Scott McGregor (New York Yankees) in round one. Also selected in the first round were Chet Lemon (Oakland), Larry Christenson (Philadelphia) and the number one pick, Dave Roberts (San Diego). Roberts went directly to the Padres starting third base position from the University of Oregon campus. The biggest steal was pulled off by the Texas Rangers when they selected infielder Mike Hargrove from Northwestern State University in the 25th round.

First Round - June, Regular Phase

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Padres

Dave Roberts

3B

U of Oregon

2.

Indians

Rick Manning

SS

Niagara Falls, NY

3.

Phillies

Larry Christenson

RHP

Marysville, WA

4.

Rangers

Roy Howell

3B

Lompoc, CA

5.

Expos

Bob Goodman

C

Memphis, TN

6.

Brewers

Danny Thomas

1B

Southern Illinois U

7.

Reds

Larry Payne

RHP

Bedias, TX

8.

Twins

*Dick Ruthven

RHP

Fresno State U

9.

Astros

Steve Englishbey

OF

Houston, TX

10.

Angels

Dave Chalk

3B

U of Texas

11.

Braves

Preston Hanna

RHP

Pensacola, FL

12.

White Sox

Mike Ondina

OF

Rancho Cordova, CA

13.

Mets

Richard Bengston

C

Peoria, IL

14.

Yankees

Scott McGregor

LHP

El Segundo, CA

15.

Cubs

Brian Vernoy

LHP

Westminster, CA

16.

Red Sox

Joel Bishop

SS

Sacramento, CA

17.

Dodgers

John Harbin

SS

Newberry College

18.

Royals

Jamie Quirk

SS

Whittier, CA

19.

Giants

Rob Dressler

RHP

Portland, OR

20.

Tigers

Jerry Manuel

SS

Rancho Cordova, CA

21.

Cardinals

Dan Larson

RHP

Alhambra, CA

22.

Athletics

Chet Lemon

SS

Los Angeles, CA

23.

Pirates

Dwayne Peltier

SS

Anaheim, CA

24.

Orioles

Ken Thomas

C

Bellville, OH

1973

Four dominating players of the late 70s and 80s were selected in the June regular phase. Infielder Robin Yount (Milwaukee) and outfielder Dave Winfield (San Diego) were first-rounders, while outfielder Fred Lynn (Boston) and infielder Eddie Murray (Baltimore) were second and third-round selections, respectively.

Winfield stepped off the University of Minnesota campus -- where he lettered in three sports -- and into the Padres' outfield. He was one of three players from this draft to go directly into the bigs. Highly-touted David Clyde was chosen by Texas as the nation's number one pick. He jumped from high school to the majors and won his first game as a Ranger shortly thereafter. But the hard-throwing lefthander developed arm problems and had a short-lived career. Besides Clyde and Winfield, Arizona State's Eddie Bane (Minnesota, 11th overall) went directly to the majors.
Other selections of interest included Mike Flanagan (Baltimore), Jack Clark (San Francisco), who was drafted as a pitcher, and Lee Mazzilli (New York Mets). In the January secondary phase, Dick Ruthven (Philadelphia), Jim Sundberg (Texas) and Donnie Moore (Chicago Cubs), who was drafted as an outfielder, were chosen.

First Round - June, Regular Phase

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Rangers

David Clyde

LHP

Houston, TX

2.

Phillies

John Stearns

C

U of Colorado

3.

Brewers

Robin Yount

SS

Woodland Hills, CA

4.

Padres

Dave Winfield

OF

U of Minnesota

5.

Indians

Glenn Tufts

1B

Bridgewater, MA

6.

Giants

Johnnie LeMaster

SS

Paintsville, KY

7.

Angels

Billy Taylor

OF

Savannah, Ga

8.

Expos

Gary Roenicke

SS

West Covina, CA

9.

Royals

Lew Olsen

RHP

Alamo, CA

10.

Braves

Pat Rockett

SS

San Antonio, TX

11.

Twins

Eddie Bane

LHP

Arizona State U

12.

Cardinals

Joe Edelen

3B-RHP

Gracemont, OK

13.

Yankees

Doug Heinhold

RHP

Victoria, TX

14.

Mets

Lee Mazzilli

OF

Brooklyn, NY

15.

Orioles

Mike Parrott

RHP

Camarillo, CA

16.

Cubs

Jerry Tabb

1B

U of Tulsa

17.

Red Sox

Ted Cox

SS

Midwest City, OK

18.

Dodgers

Ted Farr

C

Spokane, WA

19.

Tigers

Charles Bates

1B

Cal State Los Angeles

20.

Astros

Calvin Portley

SS

Longview, TX

21.

White Sox

Steve Swisher

C

Ohio U

22.

Reds

Charles Kessler

OF

Claremont, CA

23.

Athletics

Randy Scarbery

RHP

U of S. California

24.

Pirates

Steve Nicosia

C

N. Miami Beach, FL

1974

With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one. Twelve of the first 13 and a total of 16 first round selections went on to become major leaguers, including Lonnie Smith (Philadelphia), Dale Murphy (Atlanta), Garry Templeton (St. Louis), Lance Parrish (Detroit), Willie Wilson (Kansas City) and Rick Sutcliffe (Los Angeles).

Three players from the June regular phase were among the ones who got away. Pitcher Bob Welch (Chicago Cubs, 14th round), infielder Paul Molitor (St. Louis, 28th round) and pitcher Eric Show (Minnesota, 36th round) turned down pro offers for college scholarships.

First Round - June, Regular Phase

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Padres

Bill Almon

SS

Brown U

2.

Rangers

Tommy Boggs

RHP

Austin, TX

3.

Phillies

Lonnie Smith

OF

Compton, CA

4.

Indians

Tom Brennan

RHP

Lewis U

5.

Braves

Dale Murphy

C

Portland, OR

6.

Brewers

Butch Edge

RHP

Sacramento, CA

7.

Cubs

Scot Thompson

OF

Renfrew, PA

8.

White Sox

Larry Monroe

RHP

Mt. Prospect, IL

9.

Expos

Ron Sorey

3B

Dayton, OH

10.

Angels

Mike Miley

SS

Louisiana State U

11.

Pirates

Rod Scurry

LHP

Sparks, NV

12.

Yankees

Dennis Sherrill

SS

Miami, FL

13.

Cardinals

Garry Templeton

SS

Santa Ana, CA

14.

Twins

Ted Shipley

SS

Vanderbilt U

15.

Astros

Kevin Drake

OF

Lompoc, CA

16.

Tigers

Lance Parrish

3B

Diamond Bar, CA

17.

Mets

Cliff Speck

RHP

Beaverton, OR

18.

Royals

Willie Wilson

OF

Summit, NJ

19.

Giants

Terry Lee

2B

San Luis Obispo, CA

20.

Red Sox

Eddie Ford

SS

U of South Carolina

21.

Dodgers

Rick Sutcliffe

RHP

Kansas City, MO

22.

Athletics

*Jerry Johnson

C

Austin, TX

23.

Reds

Steve Reed

RHP

Fort Wayne, IN

24.

Orioles

Rich Dauer

3B

U of Southern California

* Did not sign

1975

Catcher Danny Goodwin became the only player ever drafted first in two June drafts, as the Angels tabbed him as their top selection. Four years earlier, Goodwin had been picked by the White Sox, but chose to attend Southern University instead.

None of the four players picked after Goodwin made it to the big leagues. In fact, only 12 of the 24 first round picks did. Andre Dawson was probably the biggest name in the 1975 draft, although he was overlooked until the Expos picked him in the 10th round. Other players included Rick Cerone (New York Yankees), Lou Whitaker (Detroit), Bumb Wills (Texas), Clint Hurdle (Kansas City), Dale Berra (Pittsburgh), Glenn Hubbard (Atlanta) and Lee Smith (Chicago Cubs).
Surprisingly, the January draft yielded more future big leaguers than the June draft. The top two picks, Gene Richards and Willie Aikens, were chosen after their school, South Carolina State, dropped its baseball program.

First Round - June, Regular Phase

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Angels

Danny Goodwin

C

Southern U

2.

Padres

Mike Lentz

LHP

Kirkland, WA

3.

Tigers

Les Filkins

OF

Chicago, IL

4.

Cubs

Brian Rosinski

OF

Evanston, IL

5.

Brewers

Rich O'Keefe

LHP

Yorktown Hts., NY

6.

Mets

Butch Benton

C

Tallahassee, FL

7.

Indians

Rick Cerone

C

Seton Hall U

8.

Giants

Ted Barnicle

LHP

Jacksonville State U

9.

Royals

Clint Hurdle

OF

Merritt Island, FL

10.

Expos

Art Miles

SS

Austin, TX

11.

White Sox

Chris Knapp

RHP

Central Michigan U.

12.

Phillies

Sam Welborn

RHP

Wichita Falls, TX

13.

Twins

Rick Sofield

SS

Morristown, NJ

14.

Astros

Bo McLaughlin

RHP

David Lipscomb Col.

15.

Red Sox

Otis Foster

1B

High Point College

16.

Cardinals

David Johnson

LHP

Gaylord, MI

17.

Rangers

Jim Gideon

RHP

U of Texas

18.

Braves

Donald Young

C

Goleta, CA

19.

Yankees

Jim McDonald

1B

Los Angeles, CA

20.

Pirates

Dale Berra

SS

Montclair, NJ

21.

Athletics

Bruce Robinson

C

Stanford U

22.

Reds

Tony Moretto

OF

Evansville, IN

23.

Orioles

Dave Ford

RHP

Cleveland, OH

24.

Dodgers

Mark Bradley

SS

Elizabethtown, KY

1976

The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one by the Astros while Ken Landreaux was selected sixth by the Angels. In all, 12 players from that team went on to play in the majors.

Bannister and Landreaux anchored a June draft that was one of the most talented ever. The first 10 selections went on to play in the big leagues. Among those picked in the June draft were Rickey Henderson (Oakland), Alan Trammell (Detroit), Wade Boggs (Boston), Jack Morris (Detroit), Dan Petry (Detroit), Bruce Hurst (Boston), Steve Trout (Chicago White Sox), Leon Durham (St. Louis), and Pat Tabler (New York Yankees).

Willie McGee (Chicago White Sox) and Ozzie Smith (Detroit) were selected in the seventh round but did not sign.

In the January phase, Steve Kemp of Southern California was picked first by the Tigers and Jody Davis was picked third by the Mets.

First Round - June, Regular Phase

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

Astros

Floyd Bannister

LHP

Arizona State U

2.

Tigers

Pat Underwood

LHP

Kokomo, IN

3.

Braves

Ken Smith

3B

Youngstown, OH

4.

Brewers

*Bill Bordley

LHP

Rolling Hills Estates, CA

5.

Padres

Bob Owchinko

LHP

Eastern Michigan U

6.

Angels

Ken Landreaux

OF

Arizona State U

7.

Cubs

Herm Segelke

RHP

South Sacramento, CA

8.

White Sox

Steve Trout

LHP

South Holland, IL

9.

Expos

Bob James

RHP

Sunland, CA

10.

Twins

*Jamie Allen

3B-RHP

Yakima, WA

11.

Giants

Mark Kuecker

SS

Brenham, TX

12.

Rangers

Billy Simpson

OF

Lakewood, CA

13.

Mets

Tom Thurberg

OF-RHP

South Weymouth, MA

14.

Indians

Tim Glass

C

Springfield, OH

15.

Cardinals

Leon Durham

1B

Cincinnati, OH

16.

Yankees

Pat Tabler

OF

Cincinnati, OH

17.

Phillies

Jeff Kraus

SS

Cincinnati, OH

18.

Royals

Ben Grzybek

RHP

Hialeah, FL

19.

Dodgers

Mike Scioscia

C

Morton, PA

20.

Orioles

Dallas Williams

OF

Brooklyn, NY

21.

Pirates

Jim Parke

RHP

Sterling Heights, MI

22.

Red Sox

Bruce Hurst

LHP

St. George, UT

23.

Reds

Mark King

RHP

Owensboro, KY

24.

Athletics

*Mike Sullivan

RHP

Woodbridge, VA

* Did not sign

1977

The White Sox raised some brows when they passed on right-handed pitcher Bill Gullickson, a native of nearby Orland Park, IL, and selected outfielder Harold Baines as the number one pick in the country.

White Sox owner Bill Veeck had seen Baines play little league baseball in Maryland and had followed his progress through the years. After spending three seasons in the minors, Baines was a fixture in the White Sox lineup for 10 seasons.
Montreal had perhaps the best draft, choosing Gullickson second, pitcher Scott Sanderson in the third round and outfielder Tim Raines in the fifth. Other picks of interest included infielder Paul Molitor (Milwaukee), pitcher Richard Dotson (California), and catcher Terry Kennedy (St. Louis).

Shortstop Tom Goffena from Sidney, Ohio became the Toronto Blue Jays' first draft pick as he was chosen 25th in the first round. The Seattle Mariners picked 26th and took outfielder Dave Henderson from Dos Palos, CA as their first draft pick.
The Blue Jays also picked Danny Ainge out of Brigham Young University in the 15th round. Ainge, who was also drafted by the NBA's Boston Celtics, later quit baseball for a career in basketball as a player and coach.

First Round - June, Regular Phase

Pick

Team

Player

Position

College/Hometown

1.

White Sox

Harold Baines

OF

St. Michaels, MD

2.

Expos

Bill Gullickson

RHP

Orland Park, IL

3.

Brewers

Paul Molitor

SS

U of Minnesota

4.

Braves

Tim Cole

LHP

Saugerties, NY

5.

Tigers

Kevin Richards

RHP

Wyandotte, MI

6.

Cardinals

Terry Kennedy

C

Florida State U

7.

Angels

Richard Dotson

RHP

Cincinnati, OH

8.

Padres

Brian Greer

OF

Brea, CA

9.

Rangers

David Hibner

SS

Howell, MI

10.

Giants

Craig Landis

SS

Napa, CA

11.

Indians

Bruce Compton

OF

Norman, OK

12.

Cubs

Randy Martz

RHP

U of South Carolina

13.

Red Sox

Andrew Madden

RHP

New Hartford, NY

14.

Astros

Ricky Adams

SS

Montclair, CA

15.

Twins

Paul Croft

OF

Morristown, NJ

16.

Mets

Wally Backman

SS

Beaverton, OR

17.

Athletics

Craig Harris

RHP

Sierra Vista, AZ

18.

Pirates

Anthony Nicely

OF

Dayton, OH

19.

Orioles

Drungo Hazewood

OF

Sacramento, CA

20.

Dodgers

Bob Welch

RHP

E. Michigan U

21.

Royals

Mike Jones

LHP

Pittsford, NY

22.

Phillies

Scott Munninghoff

RHP

Cincinnati, OH

23.

Yankees

Steve Taylor

RHP

U of Delaware

24.

Reds

Tad Venger

3B

Newhall, CA

25.

Blue Jays

Tom Goffena

SS

Sidney, OH

26.

Mariners

Dave Henderson

OF

Dos Palos, CA

1978

In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta Braves. Oakland pitchers Tim Conroy and Mike Morgan, and Brian Milner of Toronto also went directly to the big leagues.

The 1979 draft may long be remembered as the year of the football player. Among future NFL players drafted by baseball teams were Dan Marino and John Elway (Kansas City), Jack Thompson (Seattle), Curt Warner (Philadelphia), Kevin House (St. Louis) and Jay Schroeder (Toronto). Michigan quarterback Rick Leach was drafted by the Tigers in the first round and went on to a major league career.

The number one pick in the June draft went to Seattle, which selected high school outfielder Al Chambers. Perhaps the biggest steal in the draft was the Yankees' selection of Don Mattingly in the 19th round.